The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has invited billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote over his petition against the immediate past chief executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed. Dangote is expected to appear or be represented by his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, when a formal investigation into the petition begins on Monday.
A special panel of investigators was set up on Friday to handle the case, underscoring the importance the commission places on the allegations. ICPC has asked Dangote to submit documents and other evidence to back his claims, stressing that anyone who makes accusations must provide proof or leads for investigators to follow.
In the petition, submitted on Tuesday through his lawyer, Dangote accuses Farouk Ahmed of corruption, abuse of office, and living far above his means as a public officer. He alleges that the former regulator spent more than 7 million dollars of public funds on school fees for his four children in high end schools in Switzerland, paying several years in advance.
Dangote also accuses Ahmed of economic sabotage, claiming he worked with international traders and oil importers by continuing to issue fuel import licences in a way that undermined domestic refining. The petition argues that these actions breach the Code of Conduct for public officers and amount to corrupt enrichment and embezzlement under section 19 of the ICPC Act 2000.
Although Farouk Ahmed has resigned from his position, ICPC sources say the investigation will go ahead because the issues raised are of public interest. The commission plans to isolate the key allegations after Dangote formally adopts the petition and then invite Ahmed to respond.
Officials note that section 19 of the ICPC Act makes it an offence for any public officer to use their position to confer an unfair or corrupt advantage on themselves, relatives, or associates, with a penalty of five years in prison without an option of fine. The law also allows ICPC to punish those who file malicious or frivolous petitions that waste the commission’s time and resources.
The dispute between Dangote and petroleum regulators had earlier led to a 100 billion naira lawsuit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suit challenged the continued issuance of import licences for refined products despite local refining capacity, but it was withdrawn in July 2025.
ICPC guidelines state that anyone, including those outside Nigeria, may lodge a complaint where there are reasonable grounds to suspect an offence under the anti corruption law. Petitions can be made in writing, in person, or online, and the commission is required to acknowledge receipt within 48 hours while keeping complainants informed through the contact details they provide.
ICPC spokesperson John Okor Odey confirmed that the commission received a formal petition from Dangote on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, against the NMDPRA chief executive. He said the petition will be duly investigated in line with the commission’s mandate to tackle corruption in the public sector.
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